Hope For Those Who Suffer From Adhesion Related Disorder.tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-12359402015-06-03T16:08:32-07:00Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form inside the body, binding internal organs together...and leaving the victim to suffer incredible pain. Since adhesions elude the eye of standard medical tests, and many doctors do not discuss the illness itself, a proper diagnosis of adhesions, or ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder), is often left up to the sufferer!
TypePad STUCK WITH ENDO?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef01b7c7979f18970b2015-06-03T16:08:32-07:002015-06-03T16:08:32-07:00For the sake of your health, don't buy into an "endo adhesions" theory.karen steward

Email: I hope you can help me. My problems began at 14 years of age. It all started with a lot of pain. I had pain above my belly button, pain below my belly button, pain in lower pelvis, pain in my back. The pain increased with my monthly cycle. I also had nausea, which my doctor said was normal for many young women. The doctor placed me on birth control pills because she said they might stop the pain. It wasn't until I was sixteen years old, still in pain, that she finally sent me out for a colonoscopy. Nothing was found. A few months later, I had my first surgery. The doctor found endo. Everything was stuck together. She said my insides looked like spider webs. My female organs were glued together and she found the endo adhesions on my stomach and liver too. She did what she could, but of course there's no cure for endo. Nothing got any better. A few years later, we had hopes that Lupron would make the pain stop, but this has not helped any either. I am now 26.....

Sadly, another young woman suffers from adhesions, but believes her life has been swallowed up by endometriosis.

"Endo Adhesions," a common term used in endo forums, even at educational endo websites, can result in many women who believe the two (separate) illnesses are one and the same. The term is a misnomer.

Yes, endo can cause adhesions to form, but adhesions are adhesions. You may have endo and no adhesions. You may have adhesions and no endo. You may have endo and adhesions, but for the sake of your health, don't buy into an "endo adhesions" theory. Study your operative reports, research your condition, track your symptoms. Some women spend a lifetime fighting a diagnosis of endo, never realizing they may actually be suffering from adhesions. Further, a barrel full of Lupron will never have any effect on someone who suffers from adhesions.

The Endometriosis Connection-Adhesionstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef01a3fcd6c7e7970b2014-03-16T05:38:31-07:002014-03-16T05:38:31-07:00Take control of the wheel and stop anywhere you like. Don't allow "endo" pain to rule your life when adhesions may be the cause of your suffering. karen steward

Why would a doctor place all focus on endometriosis when adhesions may be the actual cause of pain and suffering? Maybe it's because if you discuss this debilitating illness, you must also have an answer for the patient. But, hold on. Let's keep it simple. Don't confuse a woman who is already suffering, right?

This seems to be how many physicians think, as most dodge the debilitating illness known as:

Adhesions

Even the physician who mentions adhesions-or scarring-often minimizes the involvement. Adhesions are often skipped over and medically blown off as just one of those annoyances of endo! (And don't you worry your little head about it).

More often than not, women are steered in the direction of endometriosis, not allowed to look left or right where adhesions may be wreaking havoc on internal organs.

Many women know the feeling of being trapped in a vehicle as a male driver-determined to reach a certain destination at a certain time-will not allow anything to come between the destination and the clock running in his mind.

Cute boutiques fly by on every side. The woman may say, "Oh, I'd like to stop thereeeeeeeeee........." as the man in control of the wheel whizzes by, determined he must beat the clock, knock down the miles. And when he reaches the destination, he will brag to any male standing nearby how quickly he covered the 350 miles. The woman trapped in the middle of this beat-the-clock game may have seen a flash of pink in a store window, but she didn't get the opportunity to walk in, feel the fabric, or notice the tiny white flowers embroidered across the hem.

Today, it is imperative that women force the medical vehicle to stop. It is time to ask the physician why he (or she) is flying by the adhesions that are a subsequent illness brought on by one of two things:

The inflammation of endometriosis, or the surgical procedure performed to remove the endometriosis. (And quite possibly a combination of the two.)

Granted, when you slow this particular vehicle, you will likely meet resistance. Remember, the driver may have one destination in mind-endometriosis-and he may not allow anything to come between his plan and that destination.

He or she may not want to explore adhesions with you. He or she may attempt to keep you from exiting the vehicle, preferring you not look too closely at the adhesions that are pulling organs out of place.

For more information about symptoms after endo surgery, click here: Adhesions

Endometriosis. Why It Can Hurt To Be A Woman.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef01a73d82d79e970d2014-02-27T07:28:15-08:002014-02-27T07:33:15-08:00Going crazy yet? You might be if you are a woman! Start having abdominal and pelvic pain and you will find yourself tossed to and fro in the medical arena. Told you must learn to live with the pain, many endo sufferers have no idea they may actually be suffering from adhesions! While every case is indeed different, as every woman is unique, it is often the suffering woman herself who finds her way OUT of the miserable suffering she is enduring. Whether by trekking off to another country-as we did-to receive proper help, or turning to alternative medicine, etc., women may suffer, but they are not stupid. Cheers to all women who continue to fight for the right to live a healthy, whole life. karen steward

Many women suffer the painful effects of endometriosis. As stated in this article, It Hurts! more than 6 million women in the USA suffer from endo.

While most women who suffer from this condition become accustomed (later accepting) to the misery after enduring a battery of medical tests-even surgery-many remain in the dark when it comes to a subsequent enemy that often lurks in the shadows: adhesions.

Speaking from experience, my own daughter suddenly became ill at 13 years of age. Debilitated by abdominal and pelvic pain, nausea and vomiting, a year would pass before we received a diagnosis: Crohn's disease. At the time, I had never heard of this illness. Determined to help my daughter, I began studying the illness. Over time, I came to believe Melissa had been misdiagnosed.

Little did I know, my suspicions would not be welcomed by the physician. In the beginning, my questions were answered with questions. "What have you been reading?" "Why would you think that?""Do you not accept the diagnosis?" "Don't you want what is best for your daughter?" "Why can't you understand your daughter is sick?!" On and on....I quickly learned I was not allowed to think outside the CROHN'S box.

So, I took her to other doctors. More and more tests were performed. Years passed. Melissa, unable to live a quality life, became weary of going from one doctor to the next. I couldn't blame her-I was weary too. It was much worse for her, however, due to the pain and misery.

During all this, we were aware she was dealing with ovarian cysts, but we were told to ignore them. As long as the cysts ruptured on their own, (though painful) this was just part of being a...gulp....

WOMAN,

so settle your little hysterical self down and keep taking the prednisone for the.....

CROHN'S DISEASE

Undeterred, we continued to fight for Melissa. We ditched the gastroenterologists and began going to OB/GYN's. I had decided maybe, just maybe, she had endometriosis. In 2002, we found an OB/GYN who agreed to do laparoscopy surgery (all other doctors had refused) and have a look inside just to see what was going on. The surgery went much longer than we had been told, so my husband and I were getting rather anxious when the surgeon finally came through the doors holding a pile of photographs.

"Have you ever heard of adhesions?" he asked. "No," we both replied. He thumbed through the images and continued, "I didn't find endometriosis, but what I found was probably worse. This girl is covered up in adhesions! I've freed them up, so she will do fine now."

"You mean. She. Will. Be. Well?" I couldn't believe my ears!

"Yes, she will be well. A few days to recover and all will be fine!"

Little did I know then, those would turn out to be famous last words.

In the moment, however, I was beyond elated. My daughter would be WELL! Thirteen years had passed! She was twenty-six years old-it had been one long, hard fought battle! And now, to hear the word WELL.

When Melissa woke from surgery and I told her the good news, she barely gave a ho-hum. I kept trying to explain, but her emotions were flat. She said nothing. Later, she would tell me how, in that moment, she didn't have the heart to tell me that nothing had changed inside. She felt all the pain she had always felt.

I'm happy to report, our story did finally come to a good ending. Melissa IS well now and has been for eleven years. But, the journey to get to the bottom of the adhesions issues was not an easy one.

Since that time, I have listened as many women who do have endometriosis are unaware that adhesion formation may be the actual cause of the pain and suffering they are enduring. I have heard women share how their insides look like cement from the adhesions the endo has caused, yet they continue to look for a doctor who can help them with the endo, never realizing the frozen abdomen is playing a huge role-and sometimes the ONLY role-in a life that has been swallowed up in pain and suffering.

Endometriosis After Hysterectomytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef01a51177474d970c2014-02-26T19:38:16-08:002014-02-26T19:38:16-08:00Women who suffer from endometriosis may also suffer from adhesions-an illness in and of itself. IN many cases that have been diagnosed as endometriosis, adhesions may be the actual culprit behind severe abdominal and/or pelvic pain and other debilitating symptoms. Sadly, most physicians do not explain the devastating effects of adhesions and many physicians deny adhesions cause pain!karen steward

Sharing her story regarding excruciating endo pain after a total hysterectomy, Susan was beside herself. After all, she was still in pain, the endo had not been resolved, yet she had followed the advice of her doctor who had coaxed her to undergo a hysterectomy.

Nothing had been resolved! Nothing!

Here she was, still a victim of the endo monster and in fact, the hysterectomy not only failed to resolve the issues, she had now undergone 11 more surgeries since the hysterectomy!

YIKES!

She continued: With every surgery, I get a few months of relief from the pain, but they find endometriosis everywhere! The hysterectomy proved futile against this demon from hell! In fact, it's as if the hysterectomy opened the doors of hell itself! I'm in more pain than I've ever been since this nightmare started!

She continued: I have had the best, I mean the best doctors! I have worked with several OB/GYN's who are specialists in endometriosis. They offer their sympathy, but explain that endo is such a frustrating disease for both patient and doctor. I don't need an explanation, I'm living it!

She continued: To think this all started with a ruptured ovarian cyst when I was 18! I cannot believe the pain and suffering I've endured since then! My body has been taken hostage! The twisting, stabbing and pulling-the endo has caused adhesions to just glue my organs together! My surgeon said my insides are one big mess! I cannot believe the agony this endo has brought upon me!

"Susan," I interrupt gently, "Did you hear what you said?"

She blows her nose and wipes away a tear. "What do you mean? I said I cannot believe the agony this endo has brought upon me!"

"No...not that. What you said before that."

She glances around the room, looking for her sentence. "Oh....that the adhesions have glued my internal organs together and I'm one big mess inside?"

"Bingo."

She looks puzzled.

"Bingo," I repeat.

"You don't think I have endo, is that what you're saying?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying, you said he said your insides are glued together. You are suffering the twisting, stabbing, pulling pain of adhesions, not endo. Surgery is the number one cause of adhesions and every surgery you have results in more and more adhesions. I don't doubt you have endo, but you are stating your doctor said your insides are GLUED together. Imagine if I took your arm, pulled out my super glue and placed just enough glue on your arm to adhere it to your torso. Do you think when you tried to pull your arm away you would feel pain?"

"I can't even imagine the pain I would feel."

"Then imagine how your internal organs must feel if they are glued together! The internal organs are designed to glide inside the body with each movement your body makes. If your insides are glued together, every movement hurts. Not just pain, but often agony. Many who suffer from adhesions also suffer nausea, vomiting, bowel obstructions, difficulty breathing, back pain, migraines, infertility....organs are compromised and fighting to function properly. Your adhesions likely began from that ruptured ovarian cyst."

Because endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, adhesions can form. Adhesions This subsequent factor resulting from an inflammatory condition, is a highly ignored medical illness. Women who suffer from endometriosis should realize they may also suffer from adhesions-a separate illness in and of itself. While the doctor may fail to thoroughly discuss adhesions and place all focus on endometriosis, the sufferer must become her own best doctor and sort through the issues going on within her body. Post-op reports are often the best place to start. Read those reports and look for adhesions or scar tissue within the report. For more information, check here: Endo and Adhesions

Endometriosis Excision, But Pain Continues?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef017c331d3981970b2012-11-04T20:31:55-08:002012-11-04T20:31:55-08:00Adhesions, a subsequent factor in many cases of endometriosis, may be the culprit behind continuing pain after excision for endo. While many doctors may never mention adhesions or the debilitating symptoms that can be directly related to adhesions, one surgeon...karen steward

Adhesions, a subsequent factor in many cases of endometriosis, may be the culprit behind continuing pain after excision for endo. While many doctors may never mention adhesions or the debilitating symptoms that can be directly related to adhesions, one surgeon is making a remarkable difference in the lives of many people who suffer from adhesions.

Dr. Daniel Kruschinski is educating women about continuing pain after endo excision. See more about symptoms after endo surgery at this link:

Adhesions and Endometriosistag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341cd45253ef017744b89017970d2012-09-14T04:02:17-07:002012-09-14T04:39:15-07:00Most women who have endometriosis are rarely informed of the subesequent factor: adhesion formation. Why should you care? Because, adhesions-scar tissue-can be a far greater debilitating factor in many cases that have been diagnosed as "endometriosis". The following video does...karen steward

Most women who have endometriosis are rarely informed of the subesequent factor: adhesion formation. Why should you care? Because, adhesions-scar tissue-can be a far greater debilitating factor in many cases that have been diagnosed as "endometriosis". The following video does mention scar tissue, something that many doctors never mention to the person who suffers.

Pycnogenol...Much Easier To Pronounce: Pine Bark. Help For Endometriosis Sufferers?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-500575542008-05-18T19:24:49-07:002009-04-28T18:40:11-07:00Pycnogenol is the registered trade mark name of an extract that is made from the bark of the Maritime Pine that grows on the soutwest coast of France. A clinical study conducted at Kanazawa University School Of Medicine in Ishikawa...karen steward
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Pycnogenol is the registered trade mark name of an extract that is made from the bark of the Maritime Pine that grows on the soutwest coast of France. <img alt="Pine_tree_med" border="0" src="http://karensteward.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/18/pine_tree_med.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" title="Pine_tree_med"> A clinical study conducted at Kanazawa University School Of Medicine in Ishikawa Japan revealed that pycnogenol significantly reduced symptoms of endometriosis by 33 percent. <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/mg-nsp030707.php">Pine Bark Study</a> Dr. Fred Pescatore, a former Dallas Texas internist who founded <em>Partners in Integrative Medicine </em>, which combines alternative medicine with traditional medicine, was quoted in a Ft. Worth Star Telegram interview by Carolyn Poirot: "I've been studying pycnogenol for five to seven years, and long before my time, it was proven beyond the shadow of a doubt-in probably 200 studies-to work as an antioxidant. It increases the <adhesion disorder="" related="">capillary flow, the blood supply needed for healing wounds. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties." The Kanazawa study showed that the women suffering from endometriosis who <karen steward="">were treated with pycnogenol showed a slow but steady reduction of symptom scores from severe to moderate. Pycnogenol is worth review. It is available in most health food stores. <adhesions abdominal="" and="" dr.="" endometriosis,="" karen="" kruschinski,="" pain,="" steward,="" www.adhesionrelateddisorder.com=""></adhesions></karen></adhesion></div>
Endometriosis. Adhesions. tag:typepad.com,2003:post-361377722007-07-05T08:00:06-07:002007-07-05T08:00:06-07:00Endometriosis.Org is the global platform for news and information in endometriosis. Collaborating between women with endometriosis, physicians, scientists, and others interested in the disease, Endometriosis. Org recognizes that endometriosis can cause inflammation which is a key factor in adhesion formation....karen steward

Endometriosis.Org is the global platform for news and information in endometriosis. Collaborating between women with endometriosis, physicians, scientists, and others interested in the disease, Endometriosis. Org recognizes that endometriosis can cause inflammation which is a key factor in adhesion formation. More Information: Adhesions/Endometriosis This organization works tirelessly to promote awareness while providing the most up to date information about this illness. Thanks to Endometriosis. Org for recognizing the debilitating condition of adhesion related disorder Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims: Bound By Pain!

The crippling illness of adhesions is often medically overshadowed as many physicians focus on the impact of endometriosis, while giving little heed to the impact of adhesion formation, which can be the actual disabling consequence in some cases that have been termed solely "endometriosis". Due to lack of awareness, many women rely heavily on physician recommended solutions to pain and are none the wiser to the crippling condition of adhesion related disorder. Left to suffer, their lives are reduced to nothingness as they are often ignored and left trapped in a web of endless agony.

Many women will find themselves undergoing medically induced menopause (Lupron Depot) as they are assured by their physician that their pain and symptoms will be reduced. Countless women are carted into the world of treatment of symptoms rather than finding the true answer to the cause of debilitating pain.

Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims: Bound By Pain! is a portrayal of the hopelessness that one victim and her family encountered during a time of severe illness and the enormous effort required to find an answer to the cause of debilitating pain. The story takes the reader into the frustrating maze of modern medicine; a journey unlike any other, and one that no one should have to endure while trapped in the throes of pain and suffering. When the true cause of illness is finally uncovered, ADHESIONS!, the reader will be dismayed to learn that another journey of continuing pain and frustration still lies ahead. Undeterred, however, by each defeating blow from modern medicine, Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims: Bound By Pain! gives new meaning to perseverance, hope, and the strength and love of family.

Adhesions. Endometriosis. Let Me Think About It.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-337865122007-05-07T20:15:51-07:002007-05-07T20:15:51-07:00When you turn to a doctor for help, be thankful if your condition is quickly revealed and 100% confirmed. It's always easier to handle something if you know what it is that you must handle! One thing I learned after...karen steward
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><br />
When you turn to a doctor for help, be thankful if your condition is quickly revealed and 100% confirmed. It's always easier to handle something if you know <u>what</u> it is that you must handle! One thing I learned after fighting for Melissa's <karen steward> health was that I had placed too much confidence in doctors. I expected "them" to find the root cause of her pain and I expected "them" to take the <adhesions, ARD> necessary measures that would restore her body to health. That's what doctors are for, right? I wanted her back,<u> just as she had been</u> before her body was assaulted by illness. <br />
<img alt="Thinker" title="Thinker" src="http://karensteward.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/07/thinker.jpg" border="0" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" /> <br />
Years passed and Melissa was not any better. In fact, she grew worse. We sought out "new" doctors, believing someone held the magic key <a href="http://karensteward.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/07/key_2.gif"><img alt="Key_2" title="Key_2" src="http://karensteward.typepad.com/books_and_stuff/images/2007/05/07/key_2.gif" width="100" height="38" border="0" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" /></a> to the mystery of her debilitating pain and misery. </p>
<p>It took a long time, but I finally realized that doctor's are mere men (and women). They are not walking answers to illnesses. They are often limited to the training they have had and, understandably, they rely heavily upon tests to help them determine <Dr. Harry Reich> what has gone wrong in your body. Sometimes, even the "best" of these men and women will pin an illness upon you, though all the tests may not have provided a <strong>definite </strong>diagnosis of that illness.</p>
<p>Many doctors <abdominal pain> also rely on the "rule out" theory. They rule out illnesses: X, Y and Z...eliminating the illnesses that they are certain you do NOT have. (This is where you must hope and pray that the doctor is well versed in all illnesses, common and uncommon, and/or hope he (she) will spend their evening hours pulling medical books from the shelves, desperate to find an answer to YOUR problem!)</p>
<p>Let's face it folks, it ain't happening! (In all fairness to physicians, I'm sure there are a few physicians, perplexed by certain cases, who do search for an answer for their patient.) </p>
<p>Inconclusive tests results may also give way to a symptomatic diagnosis. If your "symptoms" (say: vomiting, pain) match the "symptoms" of a certain disease, (and diseases X, Y and Z have already been eliminated) you may soon find yourself popping pills (corticosteroids?) for that particular disease. </p>
<p>If your tests are inconclusive, lab work is 'normal', and your "symptoms" are vague, your doctor may likely determine that you are simply 'depressed,' and an antidepressant will be the order of the day. </p>
<p>Now, more than ever, all people must become savvy in regards to their health. For the woman who suffers from endometriosis, only <strong>YOU</strong> can decipher the pain that you deal with inside your body. Endometriosis is said to be a "puzzling" illness, with no known cure. Many times there is much more literature and emphasis placed on the issue of endometriosis and little emphasis in regards to adhesions that are often a subsequent (and perhaps, in some cases) <strong> the</strong> debilitating, life-limiting factor of this "puzzling" illness. If you suffer from endometriosis, I encourage you to STUDY endometriosis, along with an <u>in-depth</u> study about adhesions. Study the SYMPTOMS of both issues, endo and adhesions, by reading the stories of other women who have dealt with these illnesses. </p>
<p>You may find that YOU are the key<a href="http://karensteward.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/07/key_3.gif"><img alt="Key_3" title="Key_3" src="http://karensteward.typepad.com/books_and_stuff/images/2007/05/07/key_3.gif" width="100" height="38" border="0" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" /></a> to uncovering the answer to the pain and misery in your body! </p>
<p>Think. Take time to listen to your body. Decipher the different types of pain, all which can help YOU to determine what might be going on inside. Certain ailments often produce specific types of pain. (Adhesions are often described as pulling, tearing, etc.) Certain ailments also produce specific types of symptoms (Abdominal adhesions, for instance, can cause nausea and vomiting.)</p>
<p>Finally, fight for the right to become whole in body and find a doctor who will help you in that fight. </p></div>